Voicing concern over water scarcity in Nagaland during the lean period and the lack of rainfall the state experienced last year, bringing about a drought like situation in the state, the Department of Geology and Mining conducted a seminar on awareness programme on artificial recharge to ground water through rain water harvesting at directorate of geology and mining office conference hall, Dimapur on Wednesday. Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), MOWR Government of India for North East Region, G.C Saha graced the programme as the chief guest. In his inaugural speech, the regional director said extraction of ground water development in Nagaland was only 3 percent as compared to various states in the country and emphasized the state has to work more on ground water development. He said Nagaland has huge scope for development of ground water, which was also acknowledged by the state government for development of ground water through artificial recharge to augment ground water through rain water harvesting. In this regard, the regional director said the department needed to co-ordinate and join hands with various department including irrigation and flood control, soil and water conservation, etc., to take up the issue. The state government has also declared the Department of Geology and Mining, Dimapur Nagaland as the nodal department, he said. The regional director further said the CGWB had been assigned by the central government to regulate indiscriminate boring and withdrawal of ground water by various individual and to issue necessary regulatory directions with a view to preserve the ground water in the country. Since it was not possible to regulate every nook and corner in the state, the Central Ground Water Board authority has declared Deputy Commissioner or tax collector as the nodal officer to check the illegal drilling or boring of ground water, he said. It may be mentioned that rain water harvesting refers to the technique of collection and storage of surface water before it is lost on the surface run off, while artificial recharge to ground water is a process by which ground water is withdrawn from a underground reservoir through man made techniques from surplus rain water. Director Geology and Mining, H.K Chishi in his welcome speech admitted that at this juncture, the conservation of surplus rain water and enhancing the availability of groundwater through artificial recharge was the only solution for sustainable management of water resources. He disclosed that, since Nagaland has 95% hilly terrain and to avoid any geo-hazardous eventually, proper assessment knowledge of under ground water, geo-hydrology and geo-structures of an area is essential. “For successful and result oriented implementation of artificial recharge, selection of suitable techniques and recharging depending on the prevailing geo-hydrological condition of an area are of utmost importance.” the director pointed out. Since the state government had recently declared the Directorate of Geology and Mining as nodal department for effective management of groundwater resources in the state, he expressed hope that the department will fully co-ordinate with all the sister’s departments (Irrigation and flood control, Soil and water conservation, etc) in the state for development and management or groundwater resources in the state.In his key note address and presentation, on artificial recharge to ground water through rainwater harvesting, additional director directorate of geology and mining, E. Kikon said that over the years, there has been continued effort for development of ground water resources to meet the increasing demand of water supply in all sectors. However, he said the ground water development was not uniform all over the country and that it had reached a critical stage, demand outstripping the supply. In this regard, he suggested on adopting suitable measures to enhance availability of water from the “zero point” of its development. He further stated increasing urbanization and use of cementing materials has drastically reduced the avenue for natural infiltration of ground water in urban areas. Observing all these alarming factors the department organized the awareness programme, Kikon said. OSD (G&M), O. Koratemjen in his remark urged the participants mostly from the department and other organizations and departments to join hands to contribute at the increasing need of the hour. In the second session, concept on artificial recharge to ground water resources and concept on rainwater harvesting in hilly areas was presented to the participants by scientist-D CGWB, P. Kalita and executive engineer (I&FC), R. Kelio. The topic on artificial recharge techniques in different geo-hydrological conditions was highlighted by scientist CGWB, Dr. S. Singh followed by discussion and suggestions/recommendations sessions.